A Physician on the NileFlora, fauna, and famine in thirteenth century Egypt A Physician on the Nile begins as a description of everyday life in Egypt at the turn of the seventh thirteenth century, before becoming a harrowing account of famine and pestilence. Written by the polymath and physician Abd al Laf al Baghdd, and intended for the Abbasid caliph al Nir, the first part of the book offers detailed descriptions of Egypts geography, plants, animals, and local cuisine,